Main Aspects Of Quality Research Articles

A systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis of Quality 4.0

PurposeThis study aims to investigate and provide comprehensive insights into the state of research on Quality 4.0 across various sectors. The investigation focusses on studies conducted in different countries and is motivated by the perceived benefits of adopting Quality 4.0 and the existing research gap in this domain. The literature review examines two main aspects of Quality 4.0: implementation ingredients and its applications.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) and bibliometric analysis of Quality 4.0 publications to identify the benefits, challenges and trends of adopting Quality 4.0.FindingsThe applications of Quality 4.0 are centred on six key areas, including agile product development, predictive quality algorithms, cloud databases, automation, reduced cost of quality, streamlined quality processes, accurate demand forecasting and monitoring suppliers and quality metrics using digital dashboards. Geographical disparities in research were identified, with India and the United States of America emerging as the top publishing countries. The dominance of the subjects of business, management and accounting underscored the importance of quality management across diverse sectors.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitations of this study include the novelty of the Quality 4.0 topic, which posed a challenge in finding academic material, and the analysis period of six years, which could potentially limit the coverage of recent developments.Practical implicationsThe insights and observations from this research offer valuable guidance to academics, practitioners and professionals seeking to implement Quality 4.0 in diverse sectors.Originality/valueThis study contributes a novel perspective to the field by examining the application, utilisation and evaluation of Quality 4.0, providing valuable insights for effectively managing its implementation.

Hubungan Kejadian Depresi Dengan Sindroma Dispepsia Pada Mahasiswa Prodi Kedokteran Umum FKKH Universitas Nusa Cendana

Background: Depression is a mood disorder that impacts an individual’s neuroendocrine system and overall quality of life. Depression on a medical student will hinders academic performance and is able to stay undetected and affect their professionalism as a doctor in the future, which then lowers the quality of service and the patient’s safety as a whole. Due to the neuroendocrine disturbances, depression can also cause somatic symptoms where the most common symptom found is dyspepsia. Dyspepsia impacts main aspects of quality of life meaning that comorbidity with depression often results in drastic decline in one’s quality of life.
 Purpose: To assess the correlations of depression and dyspepsia in students of the general medicine program at the faculty of medicine and veterinary of Nusa Cendana University.
 Method: The method in this study is observational analytic with a cross sectional approach. Data in this study was collected using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 and The Rome III Criteria to screen for depression and functional dyspepsia accordingly. Data analysis was done using the Contingency Coefficient Test.
 Result: The bivariate analysis conducted showed no significant correlation between depression and dyspepsia in students of the General Medicine Program (p=0.720) at the Medicine and Veterinary Faculty of Nusa Cendana University.
 Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between depression and dyspepsia in students of the General Medicine Program at the Medicine and Veterinary Faculty of Nusa Cendana University.

The development of quality of life psychosocial model in cancer patients after lower limb amputation

The general trend of humanization in medicine in recent decades, along with the biopsychosocial approach to health and illness, has put on the agenda the problem of patients’ quality of life, which resulted in numerous researches. The relevancy of this issue and the need of its investigation is substantiated in the present article on the ground of the analysis of modern literature and the work experience in the oncoorthopedic clinic; the results of the first stage of quality of life study and number of factors determining it in patients with bone and soft tissues tumors in lower extremities who underwent amputation are presented. Such a study should be comprehensive and should include an analysis of the objective functional capabilities and clinical indicators of patients, the subjective assessment of the main aspects of quality of life after amputation, as well as the psychological, social, demographic characteristics of patients. This implies the development of a theoretical model including the components of analysis in their integrated unity and interaction, as well as mathematical and empirical verification of the model. The development of quality of life psychosocial model can help to create scientifically based programs of individualized psychological assistance and social rehabilitation of cancer patients undergoing amputation of lower limb. The authors –doctors and clinical psychologists of the N.N. Blokhin Cancer Research Center and the St. Petersburg State University– put forward a research program in order to develop such a model, as well as present the first results of its implementation.

Evaluation of two novel co-processed excipients for direct compression of orodispersible tablets and mini-tablets

Pediatric, geriatric, and other patients who suffer from swallowing difficulties represent a special patient group, where an increased need in appropriate formulation development is required. To overcome these mostly swallowability linked issues, orodispersible tablets (ODTs) and orodispersible mini-tablets (ODMTs) can be seen as a suitable alternative to improve compliance. Orodispersible tablets are oral solid dosage forms which rapidly disintegrate after contact with saliva, leaving a liquid dispersion, which can be easily swallowed. To fulfil the required quality criteria and optimize the formulations regarding tensile strength and disintegration time, co-processed excipients (CPE) based on mannitol are frequently used in the manufacturing of orodispersible tablets. This study aimed to systematically compare two new CPEs, namely Granfiller-D® and Hisorad® and evaluate their potential in future OD(M)T formulations with already marketed products. The performance of the CPEs was examined in combination with three different APIs. Disintegration time, sufficient mechanical strength and content uniformity for low dosed formulation were chosen as main quality aspects. Conventionally sized tablets (9 mm) with 50% drug load of ibuprofen and paracetamol were produced with each CPE. Low dosed OD(M)Ts with a drug load of 4% enalapril maleate were manufactured to study content uniformity. Large differences were visible in the formulations containing ibuprofen and only Hisorad® allowed to compress ODT fulfilling the specifications of Ph.Eur. and FDA regarding disintegration times (180 s and 30 s, respectively). For the poorly binding model drug paracetamol, none of the studied excipients showed a satisfactory performance, with maximum tensile strengths < 1 MPa. To reach content uniformity in low dosed ODMTs, Ludiflash® seems to be the most preferable alternative, as the formulation showed the lowest acceptance values (AV) according to Ph.Eur. (<4) as well as the smallest coefficient of variation (CV) in API content (CV < 2%). In conclusion, the study revealed that none CPE is the ideal choice for all approaches, but different CPEs should be selected dependent on different challenges during formulation development of OD(M)Ts.

Impact of familiar collaboration on construction project quality: perceptions from clients and contractors in Singapore's construction industry

PurposeDue to the fragmented and complex nature of the construction industry, many countries, including Singapore, have progressively encouraged greater collaboration amongst major stakeholders in the industry. It is hoped that doing so will result in an increase in the quality of construction projects. Given the long duration of typical construction projects, it is plausible for collaborating parties to develop close and personal relationships. In recent years, corruption cases arising from familiar collaboration have caught the public's attention. This study seeks to better understand familiar collaboration and its adverse impacts on the quality of construction projects.Design/methodology/approachA mixed research method was adopted, with a questionnaire survey distributed to 32 respondents representing client and contractors. This was followed by interviews to validate the survey findings.FindingsThe findings suggest that, when there is a lack of surveillance, familiar collaboration is likely to lead to favouritism and dishonesty, which can have an adverse impact on the quality of construction projects. The findings additionally suggest that value for money, conformance to specifications and fitness for purpose are the main aspects of quality that are likely to be adversely affected by corrupt practices bought about by familiar collaboration.Originality/valueIn this paper, these relationships are described using the term familiar collaboration. Strong and intimate relationships of this type may lead to a danger of parties committing corrupt practices. This study is one of the very attempts seek to better understand familiar collaboration and its adverse impacts on the quality of construction projects.

Application of tamarind seed starch as edible coating in the post-harvest quality of grapes ‘Isabel’ (Vitis labrusca × Vitis vinifera L.)

The Isabel grape (Vitis labrusca × Vitis vinifera L.) is the most produced grape in Brazil, however, it has a short postharvest period due to rapid degradation during storage. The use of coating has been an alternative to prolong the shelf-life of fruits. The objective of this work was to evaluate the postharvest quality of 'Isabel' grapes coated with tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed starch. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments with edible coating based on tamarind seed starch, at concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% and five replications. The grapes were immersed in the solutions with different concentrations and stored in B.O.D. at 12 ± 2 ° C and 85 ± 5% relative humidity for 12 days. Weight loss, color, pH, soluble solids, total titratable acidity, relationship between soluble solids and acidity, anthocyanins, flavonoids and vitamin C were evaluated. The 2% coating of tamarind seed starch was the most efficient, providing shelf life in 12-day grapes when stored at 12 ± 2 ° C and 85 ± 5% RH, and maintaining the main quality aspects, with higher SS / TA ratio and vitamin C.

Customers’ quality demands as directions to the cold chicken supply chain management

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the perception of the cold chicken meat value in its supply chain and how to manage the influence of quality demands in this supply chain. It is based on the views that retails and restaurants have about the main quality aspects required to meet their end customers.Design/methodology/approachThis paper surveyed 135 respondents from restaurants, butcheries, supermarkets, and convenience stores located in the Southern Brazilian metropolitan area. Principal component analysis followed by quality function deployment was performed to analyze the data.FindingsThe principal component analysis results in seven factors: product quality and flexibility of delivery; supply flexibility; responsiveness to market changes and product assortment; measurements of the inventory and competitiveness; product specificity; product availability and specificity cost; and delivery frequency. The comparative study on the steps of the process between restaurants and retailers shows that distribution, cutting and packaging are the key process steps in this chain.Practical implicationsThe results show what process steps must be prioritized to comply with the customers’ quality requirements. Since the most important process steps are different for different customers, companies may elect what steps require more attention to satisfy the most profitable customer types.Originality/valueSeveral studies are found in the literature that present a theoretical discussion on the quality demands of perishable products. The management of factors related to the process steps can help members of the supply chain in their decision-making processes. The contribution of this research is to identify, by an applied study, how the demanded quality aspects should be considered by the poultry industry to satisfy customers in different market segments.

Sensory Quality and Physico-chemical Properties of Three Types of Commercial Dried Chinese Noodles

Sensory quality and physico-chemical properties of 60 samples of white salted noodles, 23 egg noodles and 16 buckwheat noodles, collected from large-scale noodle manufacturers, were measured. The differences in quality among the three types of commercial dried Chinese noodles and relationships between the various quality parameters were investigated. Color and flavor were the main aspects of quality that varied among the commercial dried noodles. In texture profile analysis of the noodles after cooking, buckwheat noodles showed significantly lower measurements of hardness, cohesiveness, chewiness and resilience and these differences were confirmed by sensory tests. The color score of white salted noodles was positively associated with L* and negatively with a* (p<0.01); but for buckwheat noodles, the associations were reversed. Hardness, chewiness of TPA and all sensory parameters for the 3 noodle types were negatively correlated with cooking loss. The association between water uptake, chewiness and noodle firmness score was described by means of a quadratic regression model. Compared with the winter wheat region in south China, dried white salted noodles originating from the winter wheat region in north China showed lower moisture, higher color b* and higher scores in stickiness, flavor and total scores.

Comprehensive quality assessment of municipal organic waste composts produced by different preparation methods

In the first part of this work, the effect of municipal organic waste (MOW) composts on plant growth was evaluated in a greenhouse trial. The treatments included soil amended with 14 different composts (prepared by shredding, adding wood shavings, cocomposting with biosolids or vermicomposting), an inorganically fertilized soil, and a control soil. All of the treatments significantly increased plant growth compared to the control, and yields of three of the amended treatments were as high as that of the inorganic fertilizer treatment. When comparing differently prepared composts to the conventional compost, it was found that cocomposting MOW with biosolids was the method which most positively influenced yields (26–41% yield increases). In the second part of this work, we evaluated the effects of the different preparation methods on compost quality, using a multivariate approach. Three main quality aspects were considered collectively in a principal component analysis: organic matter and nutrient concentrations, degradability and capacity to mineralize these nutrients, and plant growth. The model was restricted to the first and second components (PC1 and PC1) which accounted for 94% of data variance. On the resulting factorial plane, four groups were distinguished. Each of the groups was compared to the reference compost to determine quality increases or decreases. Based on this analysis, it was found that cocomposting MOW with biosolids produced the highest quality products (higher total nutrient and OM concentration, nutrient mineralization potential, and plant growth). Addition of wood shavings increased OM concentration, but reduced quality in terms of the other aspects studied. Shredding was only effective to increase product quality when it was not combined with other methods, whereas vermicomposting only increased quality when MOW was not mixed with biosolids.

Importance of health and environment as quality traits in the buying decision of organic products

PurposeThis paper aims to explore consumer preference for fresh vegetables labelled as organic in combination with health and environment related quality traits. The study decomposes organic farming into its main quality aspects and measures consumers' preference structure for organic, in general, and for specific organic quality traits in particular.Design/methodology/approachBy means of stated choice preference modelling, the following hypotheses are tested: consumers prefer health over environment related quality traits; the organic label plays a significant role in consumers' choice for organic products; organic farming is perceived as healthier and more environmentally friendly than conventional farming; purchase intention is mainly driven by health related quality traits; both health and environmental concerns influence purchase frequency, though to a different extent. The choice experiment was completed by 527 participants, with four repetitions per participant.FindingsThe health‐related traits score better than environmental traits in shaping consumer preference for organic vegetables. Consumers prefer organic products over B‐branded products, but not over A‐branded products, which suggests that consumers classify organic products among other quality niche products. However, they attribute a better score to the health and environment related quality traits of organic products, indicating a difference in quality cues between organic products and quality products in general. Price becomes less important, whereas presence of an organic label becomes more important with increasing buying intensity of organic vegetables. Undesirable traits, such as pesticide residue levels trigger a stronger response than desirable traits, such as environmental or health benefits.Original valueThe measurement of the role of health and environment quality traits in consumers' decision to buy organic or not is of relevance given the current debate on the factual differences between organic and conventional vegetables. Furthermore, the use of the stated choice preference to test the hypotheses is original and relevant.

Uncertainty-Based Internal Quality Control. Harmonization Considerations

Three main quality aspects for analytical laboratories are internal method validation, internal quality control (IQC), and sample result uncertainty. Unfortunately, in the past they have been used in a nonharmonized way. The most universal IQC tool is the mean chart, but some criteria used to fix their control limits do not fit the real nature of analytical results. A new approach for fixing these limits is proposed (the u-approach). The key is the combined uncertainty, u, obtained from the method validation information, also used for estimating the sample result uncertainty. A comparative study on "in-control" simulated, bibliographic, and real laboratory data suggests that the u-approach is more reliable than other well-established criteria. In addition, the u-approach mean chart emerges as an IQC tool, consistent with chemical assays, which harmonizes the validation-control-uncertainty process.

Quality Aspects of Official Environment Statistics

'High quality' is a most desirable property for all data. As a basis for the discussion, the four main aspects of quality of official statistics are presented, using a form now operational at Statistics Sweden. The relevance in environment statistics is explained, and the close connection with quality control and quality assurance, as often used in the context of environmental monitoring and other environmental measurements, is explored. With this background, a number of quality problems are discussed, including the various sources of quality loss in using emission coefficients and calculations of similar character, the difficulties of defining sampling errors in data based on samples from air and water, comparability problems, not least arising from differing definitions, other definition and measurement problems, and the need to measure the quality of statistical maps. The necessity to consider the quality of aggregates, in addition to the quality of individual measurements, is stressed.

Total quality management transfer to small and medium industries in Malaysia by SIRIM

In today's economy, competition is greater than ever. For small and medium industries (SM Is) to continue to survive and grow, the quality of their goods and services is of paramount importance. Many SMIs are working very hard to achieve good quality goods and services, and using them as competitive advantages in their business. In the 1990s, there are two main aspects of quality that capture the attention of most businesses in the world: how to satisfy customers better and total quality management (TQM). M uch publicity and many publications can be found on these two subjects. In 1992, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sent a study team headed by Mr M. Sakanashi of UNICO International Cooperation to study the quality improvement programme in Malaysia. A report was published in January 1993 with recommendations for SMIs. This paper uses the report findings as a starting point and attempts to survey the current thinking and development of TQM. The rationale for trying to achieve TQM through...